HC Deb 28 June 1883 vol 280 cc1696-7
MR. O'BRIEN

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that the official rules for the guidance of Crown Solicitors in directing jurors at trials in Ireland to stand by contain a direction in the following terms:— And shall also, in the exercise of a due discretion, direct to stand by all such persons as he shall have reason to believe are likely to be hindered from giving an impartial verdict, by favour towards the accused, fear of the consequences to their persons, property, or trade, or other improper motive, although same may not announce to a legal ground of challenge, or may not admit of legal proof; and, if this rule be still in force, by what statute Crown Solicitors are empowered to impose this disqualification upon jurors?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. PORTER)

said, he had been asked to answer the Question. The Official Rules for the guidance of Crown Solicitors did contain, amongst other provisions, the Rule referred to in the Question. The right to call on jurors to stand by was not created by any particular Statute, but it had been distinctly recognized by several Statutes, notably the Jurors (Ireland) Act, 1871. The regulation in question appeared to him to be a most proper guide for Crown Solicitors in the discharge of their duties.